Cavaliers notes: Marreese Speights has had Cleveland in his sights (with video)

Going back to the 2008 NBA draft, Marreese Speights had convinced himself he was coming to the Cavaliers.

However, the Philadelphia 76ers had other ideas. They picked the Florida product No. 16 overall. The Cavs ended up taking North Carolina State's J.J. Hickson at 19.

"Cleveland was always a team I wanted to come to," Speights said.

He had veto power on the trade from Memphis, but actually wanted to come to Cleveland, something that's not said very often.

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"No other team was that young that needed another big man," Speights said. "It was a good opportunity to come here and get some playing time."

In that draft, he toured with fellow bigs Hickson, JaVale McGee and Roy Hibbert for team workouts.

"Before I was drafted, I was here working out (for the Cavs) for like two weeks," Speights said. "I'm glad I got an opportunity to finally get here after five years."

Cavs coach Byron Scott said he'll be used as the backup center behind Tyler Zeller. Scott said Tristan Thompson will stay at power forward with the first and second units.

"Just his size can help us," Scott said. "He's a guy who can make shots. He's a little bigger than I thought he was. We need that size. We're not expecting them to light the world on fire."

The 6-foot-10, 255-pound Speights said he'd have no trouble learning the terminology of the offense and defense.

"They gave us a playbook," he said. "The league is all the same plays with different names."

Tipped off

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving said his father, Drederick, found out that his son had made the All-Star team a day early.

"My dad said he found out the day before," Kyrie said. "He said he was emotional."

Kyrie told his father, his agent, Jeff Wechsler, and the Cavs not to tell him who made the team.

"I sat there on my couch and watched the (TNT) show," he said.

Scott is so happy for his prodigy.

"He's a hell of a young player," Scott said. "(After we drafted him and) got him in practice, we knew we had struck gold.

Ellington a shooter

Shooting guard Wayne Ellington is a long-range shooter. But that's not all he provides.

"I'm a smart player, play the game the right way and have a winning mindset," he said.

"I was surprised (when he learned about the trade from Memphis). I didn't know anything about it. They have a rebuilding process with a lot of young guys. I'm excited about it."

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder is thrilled to play with Irving.

"He has so much talent," Ellington said. "I know Dion (Waiters) from working out with him this summer in Philly. They have some great young talent here. I'm looking forward to helping them put it all together."

Ellington played one season at North Carolina with Zeller.

"He's come a long way," Ellington said. "I saw him come into college and now in the pros. When you come into Chapel Hill (N.C.), we humble you."

Change of heart

Scott changed his mind on letting Speights and Ellington play. Originally, he said he wanted them to practice first before getting into a game.

"I had to sleep on the decision last night," he said. "That rule applies to guys that were injured. They weren't injured. They were traded."

Scott said it had nothing to do with Speights playing well against the Bucks through the years. In two prior meetings with Milwaukee this year, he's averaged 14 points and 7.5 rebounds.

"I might change the starting lineup," Scott joked.

Quick shots

-- Irving finally got rid of his protective mask after wearing it for 19 games.

-- Waiters remained in the starting lineup at shooting guard with C.J. Miles a bit iffy with a virus.

-- The Cavs at Orlando game on Saturday, Feb. 23 will no longer be televised by NBA TV. It'll now show Atlanta at Milwaukee.

-- Bucks fans were furious that point guard Brandon Jennings was left off the East All-Star team. "I thought he had a pretty good shot," Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. "I put a lot of weight in the success of a team. Brandon is on a team that's in the playoffs. I was a little surprised."